NEW YORK, NY (October 20, 2026) – New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), the nonprofit organization connecting women leaders across marketing and communications since 1929, today announced that registration is open for its Comms Career Bootcamp on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET at Fordham University.

The half-day event is designed for communications students, recent graduates, and emerging professionals who want direct access to industry leaders. The afternoon opens with a fireside chat with a Netflix executive, followed by five interactive panels, each led by a moderator and built around the questions early-career professionals ask most.

• Creating a Career with a Purpose: Explores career pivots, defining success on your own terms, and making intentional decisions that create long-term impact.
  • Randy Penn, Social Impact and CSR Leader
  • Amy Todd Middleton, former Chief Marketing Officer at EDF and Global Head of Family Office at Crisis24
  • Latoya Bennett-Johnson, Vice President of Sponsorship Strategy and Entertainment Partnerships at Mastercard’s Global Sponsorships team
  • Singleton Beato, Former Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, McCann Worldwide
  • Emily Fano, Director Climate Education, National Wildlife Federation

• Career Hot Seat: Lets attendees put their own workplace dilemmas to industry leaders and receive candid feedback they can use right away.
  • Alexandra York, Editor, Forbes
  • Emily Dindoffer, Chief of Staff at Instacart Advertising
  • Abi Evans, Global Chief Growth Officer at Omnicom Advertising
  • Hana Kalaie Sharan, Senior Global Marketing Manager at Microsoft

• What Hiring Managers Won’t Say Out Loud: Recruiters and career leaders explain what shapes hiring decisions, including résumé mistakes, interview red flags, and the qualities that make candidates stand out.
  • Beth Feldman, President of NYWICI and SVP of Communications, Nexstar Networks & The CW
  • Andrea Forstadt, Recruiter
  • Debbie Presser, VP Sales at Nexstar
  • Julia Nietsch, Associate Director of Career Advising, Fordham Career Center
  • Olivia Dames, EVP, Global Communications Director, Omnicom

• From LinkedIn to the Creator Economy – How to Get Noticed: Covers building a compelling LinkedIn presence, developing thought leadership, and creating content authentically.
  • Tina Kolokathis, Editorial Lead at Her Campus
  • Vicki Salemi, Career Expert, Monster.com
  • Laine Dubin, Content Creator and Photographer

• How to Be Seen Early in Your Career: Offers strategies for speaking up, finding mentors and sponsors, and demonstrating leadership at any level.
  • Zoya Hasan, 30 Under 30 reporter at Forbes
  • Libby Moore, Executive Coach
  • Maureen Cornely, Communications Strategy Director at BBDO
  • Yvette Miley, EVP at NBCU News Group
  • Mirhan Tariq, Manager, Streaming Communications, HBO

“The Comms Career Bootcamp puts students and early-career professionals in the same room as leaders who hire, mentor, and sponsor talent every day. Our goal is for every attendee to leave with a clearer path, a stronger network, and the confidence to pursue their next opportunity,” said Lori Greene, Vice President of Rising Star Programming at NYWICI.

Supporting the Next Generation of Communicators
The Bootcamp is one of several NYWICI programs built for students and early-career professionals. The organization’s scholarship program has awarded approximately $2.2 million to date, helping students pursuing communications and media careers fund their education. Applications for the 2027 scholarship cycle will open in early November.

NYWICI also offers a structured mentorship program that pairs mentees with experienced professionals, along with career development programming, a jobs and internships portal, and the WomenHeard podcast.

“Early in a career, one conversation, one scholarship, or one introduction can change the path ahead. With a community of leaders who show up for students, NYWICI is committed to helping the next generation build careers in communications. We encourage students to join us on November 12 and to watch for the 2027 scholarship application,” said Chelsea Orcutt, Chief Student and Early Career Affairs Officer at NYWICI.

About New York Women in Communications
New York Women in Communications is dedicated to promoting the highest standards throughout the industry and to providing education and leadership for the next generation. Founded in 1929, the not-for-profit association has more than 2,500 members — from senior executives to students, entrepreneurs, and young professionals — representing a wide variety of communications disciplines. NYWICI empowers women across communications disciplines to reach their full potential by promoting professional growth, inspiring achievement, and helping members navigate the evolving and converging world of communications. Learn more at nywici.org

Media Contact
Donna-Jean Plante, CAE
Executive Director, NYWICI
Donna-Jean.Plante@NYWICI.org